Friendship is Dragonshttp://friendshipisdragons.com
A screencap comic of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Equestria is a custom campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons, and the mane six are Player Characters. How will a party of six roleplayers fare in a world where the usual hack-'n'-slash high fantasy has been replaced by pastel-colored ponies?ComicFury comic RSShttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://comicfury.com/comicavatars/56/6676_736102.gifhttp://comicfury.com/comicbans/56/6676_722722.pngFriendship is Dragonshttp://friendshipisdragons.com
Smash Cuthttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1039623
Silverstream (PP): <roll>
DM: Alright! That is just enough to shatter the hidden sculptures. You watch as the shadowy Storm King and his guards all disintegrate.
Sandbar (AJ): So no more regeneration?
DM: Nope, they are completely defeated.
Smolder (RT): Phew!
Yona (FS): Aww, Yona wanted to smash the rocks…
Silverstream (PP): Ha ha HA! That's what you get, stupid Storm King illusion! Teach you to make me hide underwater for like half an hour!
DM: You seem… especially enthusiastic about this.
Silverstream (PP): Well yeah! I got into character and really stewed in fear that whole time!
DM: Oh dear. Sorry to make you wait like that.
Silverstream (PP): It was awful, but also kind of awesome and new! But anyway thank you all so so SO much for coming to my rescue!
SFX: (GLOMP!)
Gallus (RD): Guess some things never change. We're all happy to see your roleplaying, but can we get back to saving the world before time runs out?
Silverstream (PP): Oh. Yeah, okay.]]>Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1039623Passive Regressivehttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1039065
Gallus (RD): So are they real or not?
DM: Hmmm. Roll me Insight.
Gallus (RD): Seriously? I can't even remember the last time I rolled that.
DM: I can't remember the last time you had a decent bonus in non-Strength skills.
Gallus (RD): <grumble> <roll> That's gonna be a… 17.
DM: Well… They're definitely corporeal and aware. But compared to what they're supposed to be, they can't help but seem lacking. The Storm King nearly conquered the world, and even the stories of him described a devious cunning and charisma. This is just an angry shadow, a shell. Maybe even a living memory.
Silverstream (PP): You're all here, right?
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Lurking in the shadows. Just say the word and we'll join in.
Silverstream (PP): Okay!
DM: They're actively looking for Silverstream, so getting a surprise round is unlikely. But you do have an opportunity to maneuver and decide how you're going to start this–
Silverstream (PP): CHAAAAAAAARGE!
DM: Nnnnnevermind! Roll for Initiative!]]>Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1039065Submersible Opshttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1038522
DM: With the help of Yona's tree spiders, you manage to navigate the catacombs and find an an area reconfigured to look like an underground lake.
Gallus (RD): Hellooooo? Silverstream? The cavalry's here!
Sandbar (AJ): Heh heh. "Cavalry."
Smolder (RT): …Ugh.
DM: Silverstream, you hear Gallus calling out to you. How do you choose to respond?
Silverstream (PP): GET DOWN!!
Gallus (RD): WHA–?
SFX: (SPLASH!)
Gallus (RD): Well that was stealthy.
Silverstream (PP): Shhhhhh. Please tell me you brought backup!
Gallus (RD): What are we up against, again?
DM: The giant Storm King and his warriors.
Gallus (RD): But they're not… real, right?
DM: Hmm… How much time do we have left in the session…?]]>Tue, 10 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1038522Getting Realhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035530
Sandbar (AJ): If I know anything about Rarity, it's that despite being a sneaky, scheming thief…
Smolder (RT): Oh, brother…
Sandbar (AJ): She's always upfront with her companions.
Smolder (RT): Huh?
Sandbar (AJ): Sometimes she has to keep things secret and that's fine. But she's always honest about her thought process and the challenges she's up against, both internally and externally. And no matter what, she's compassionate and pays attention to the needs of others. So even though she's a greedy Rogue, she's the easiest greedy Rogue to work with that any adventurer could ever ask for. And Rainbow Dash – she presents herself as this rule-bucking loose cannon maverick, but… it's clear once you take a step back and see the big picture that she really cares about her party. Her party and no one else, but still. Cares in her own warped way, but still! Sometimes it takes the form of "kicking the dragon so we stop talking in circles and just get on with it." And sometimes it's "agree to a secret deal with our enemy and then betray them to help the party." I'm not saying it always works, or that it's always the most well thought-out… but for all her Chaotic Evil-ness, she really does care about her allies. And that's why neither of you are the real Rarity or Rainbow Dash. Besides the whole "fake friendship adventure to waste time" thing.
DM: …The two ponies smile back at you. They burst into light, fading away. The four of you came in just in time to see that last exchange.
Sandbar (AJ): That was fun. Shall we get back to saving the world?
Smolder (RT): Well played. …Well played.
Gallus (RD): … Never do that again. I have a reputation to uphold here.
Sandbar (AJ): Heh heh. Noted.]]>Sat, 07 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035530Roll Modelshttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035529
DM: Anyway, Sandbar. Getting tired of running through the same hallway yet?
Sandbar (AJ): Nah dude, I'm an earth pony. And I'm with my heroes!
Gallus (RD): We're the ones who're exhausted.
Sandbar (AJ): <sigh> Well, it's been fun. You know what I should do? Find my friends! They'd love to meet you!
Smolder (RT): Wouldn't be so certain of that.
Sandbar (AJ): And they'd be lots of help with the friendship problem!
Rainbow Dash (DM): Are you kidding me?! We need YOU, Sandbar, not THEM. Forget about 'em!
Rarity (DM): They'll be just fine. And we have no time to waste. You don't want to disappoint your "heroes" now, do you?
Sandbar (AJ): …Heh. Well now I know you're not real.
DM: Huh?]]>Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035529The Beast Withinhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035528
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Um, Tree of Harmony?
DM: Compelling start.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): I've never been scared about of being stuck looking a certain way. But I've ALWAYS been scared of not being strong enough to help those that need it. Right now, the entire world needs us. Will you help me, just for a little bit longer?
DM: Dang. Rrroll those crazy dice.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): <roll>
DM: … Well… Okay. So, what's going to happen is that the lock on your shapeshifting is released, and you go back to your normal form. But. As long as you remain in the catacombs, you have access to this changeling queen form through your Wild Shape.
Ocellus (TS): Yes yes yes thank you!
DM: You're lucky this is a one-shot, because this could be the most broken thing I've allowed in a long time.]]>Tue, 03 Sep 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035528No Purchase Neededhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035527
Smolder (RT): I believe that it's you in there, Ocellus. And it looks like you're having fun. But, uh, we kind of have a world to go save.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Right! Lead the way!
DM: You're not… concerned that you might be stuck like this?
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): It's not about being stuck, it's about having extra power for the task at hand! Look, this "illusion" came from Cozy Glow enchanting the Tree of Harmony, right?
DM: That's… correct.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): So it's not just an "illusion" – there's some real power behind it!
Smolder (RT): That dress DID stick around after I cleared my "trap"…
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): What was that about a dress?
Smolder (RT): Nothing.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Haha! In any case, all I need to do is convince the Tree of Harmony to let me keep this queen form long enough to save the world! It has some limited form of intelligence, right? I would've learned that from our studies?
DM: Um… sure? Roll Persuasion… on… the TREE???]]>Sat, 31 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035527Queen of Cutehttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035526
DM: In any case, who are you going to "rescue" first?
Smolder (RT): Well, to make an arbitrary decision: Ocellus.
DM: Alright then. The spiders lead you into into a passage that, with every turn, looks more and more like a corrupted changeling hive. Eventually, you find… an evil-looking changeling queen, who seems quite pleased with herself.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Oh, Smolder! Smolder, it's me, Ocellus! Check this out!
Smolder (RT): …Whose voice is coming out of that changeling queen? Is it hers?
DM: It seems younger and higher-pitched than it should be for a queen of that size, yes.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): What? This form doesn't get an intimidating deep voice??
DM: Not unless Ocellus had a deep, intimidating voice to start with.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Oh, come onnn!]]>Thu, 29 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035526Three Are Onehttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035067
Yona (FS): Yona is here too! With spider army!
DM: Um… Sure, why not?
Smolder (RT): Shall we assume, then, that the other three need a little extra help?
Silverstream (PP): YESSS!!
Sandbar (AJ): Ah, I'm in no hurry.
Ocellus (TS): I can't wait to show you what I can do now…
Gallus (RD): Since Silverstream is facing a combat situation, I say we pick up Sandbar and Ocellus first. Problem is, we're gonna have to justify "How do we know that in-character?"
DM: It's a valid question.
Yona (FS): Spider army! Can you help us find our friends?
DM: Um… they… can, actually!
Smolder (RT): Not sure if it needs to be pointed out, but… Despite rolling a Barbarian, you've somehow become the beastmaster once again.
Yona (FS): This is best outcome for Yona.
Gallus (RD): Oh, hey, before we leave. We can see light coming in from the grate above, right?
DM: Yes. And judging by the color, it looks like you've lost a fair bit of daylight.
Gallus (RD): Freakin'… stalling… Cozy Glow… I'm going to punch that filly in the face.]]>Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1035067Zero to Psychohttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1034264
DM: So, what kind of dress do you think would be fitting torment for a dragon like Smolder?
Smolder (RT): If I must… <sigh> Bright teal, poofy, too much makeup… Maybe a big tiara as well.
DM: After a whirlwind of activity, that's the outfit Smolder finds herself in. She is now ready for the tea party.
Smolder (RT): Well… I suppose there are worse things. Back home, being from a 'noble' bloodline was all about strength. No 'nobility' in it. But this… This nice hot tea, this high society company, this comfort in excess… In a few years, perhaps, I could get used to this.
DM: The moment that thought crosses your mind: Poof! In a flash, the illusion dissipates and you're back at the catacombs entrance. Conveniently in front of Gallus, who has also found his way back. You are still wearing the dress.
Gallus (RD): Pfft–
Smolder (RT): I will turn you into grilled chicken if you EVER tell a soul.
Gallus (RD): Y-Yes, ma'am.]]>Sat, 24 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1034264Draconic Deterrenthttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1033786
Smolder (RT): If you're willing to admit you're illusions, then you must know how to end this. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the end of all magic is at hand. Are you willing to help me put a stop to it?
Stepford Mare 2: Like, duh! We're always down to, like, totally save the world.
Stepford Mare 1: Join us for this delightful tea party, won't you dear? That will do the trick just nicely.
Smolder (RT): <sigh> That was the solution the whole time? Fine. Yes. Pass me some tea.
Stepford Mare 2: Oh no no no, this has to be a proper tea party. Which means dressing appropriately for it! And admitting that you, a fierce dragon, can enjoy being cute and adorable.
(beat)
Smolder (RT): Do I have to?
Stepford Mare 2: Pretty good dragon trap, isn't it?]]>Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1033786Less Ado About Somethinghttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1033066
DM: Let's see – Yona's free, Gallus is free… Smolder. You circle back around again, and guess what you find?
Smolder (RT): Not a pile of ashes?
DM: Yep. The same room, the same decorations, the same tea party, the same gossiping mares. Like you had never Fireballed the heck out of them.
Smolder (RT): Can't say I'm surprised, but I must confess I'm greatly disappointed.
Gallus (RD): Welcome to my world, sister.
Stepford Mare 1: Well, what did you expect, honey? We're illusions meant to torment dragons.
Stepford Mare 2: It's so CYUUUTE that you thought you could just Fireball us away.
Smolder (RT): Ummm… That's rather… candid for a couple of illusory ponies to say…
Stepford Mare 2: Freaking out is no way to not live. Which oh my gosh reminds me: Did you hear about Willy?
Stepford Mare 1: The illusory minotaur?
Stepford Mare 2: I heard he had an existential crisis about not being real and went crazy on the ponies in that maze. Which was, like, what he had been made for in the first place!
Stepford Mare 1: Oh my gosh, like, way to buck the system, NOT. More tea?]]>Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1033066Cracking the Shellhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1032489
Gallus (RD): <roll> Aha, got it! Finally!
DM: You did it?
Gallus (RD): This'll put me up to seven successes, on attempt… 29.
DM: Ooh. My math might've been too precise…
Gallus (RD): Well, that "canceling each other out" thing didn't help!
DM: True. At any rate, congratulations! The layers of overlapping crystal have expanded just enough to create a hole that you can climb out of.
Gallus (RD): Hooooh, thank goodness!
DM: Outside is the catacomb passages, not too far from the entrance, in fact.
Gallus (RD): I climb out.
DM: You climb out!
Gallus (RD): Out of, uh, morbid curiosity, what would've happened if I'd… "failed?"
DM: Well, at 30 attempts, you would have run out of beams for a while until the light changed. At net six failures, it would've gotten so tight that you would hardly be able to move, and you would've had to wait for someone to dig you out from outside.
Gallus (RD): So I wasn't actually gonna be crushed?
DM: Well… you're playing a kid. I gotta pull my punches a little bit.]]>Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1032489At What Low Costhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1032051
DM: I know I left room for your reactions to be pretty open, but you don't sound concerned… at ALL.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Why should I be? Has my mind been changed?
DM: No, mentally you're still you. But physically…
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): I've never been that worried about my appearance before. Why start now?
DM: I see…
Yona (FS): I'm a little curious now… How was this "supposed" to work?
DM: Used to be that all changelings had this true form: Starving, incomplete, born and raised for evil purposes. There's a lot of prejudice towards their people even after they reformed. So the thought of turning back and being stuck that way, like there's no escaping one's evil origin, is supposed to be… horrifying. But not to you, apparently!
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): You said "more powerful." What kinds of new abilities do I get in this Evil Changeling Queen form?
DM: Um… You… may need to roll an Insight check. Because I could certainly give you a long list of cool powers, but there's a high chance that they only exist in your head.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): They may be illusory, but if they work in this space long enough to help us deal with Cozy Glow…!
DM: …Interesting point. Hold that thought. Silverstream? Got a plan yet to deal with the Storm King and his squadron?
Silverstream (PP): Yeah! It's called "Hope that backup arrives before I try to take on this thing."
DM: Do you have any reason to believe, in-character, that backup will arrive?
Silverstream (PP): Wishful thinking.
DM: Fair enough. Sandbar, how's your "friendship adventure" with Rarity and Rainbow Dash going?
Sandbar (AJ): I don't know, how IS it going?
DM: You're mostly just charging heroically down a hallway with no end in sight.
Sandbar (AJ): That's okay! I'm with my idols! If I do what they say, maybe they'll be MY friends too!
Gallus (RD): Good grief.
Smolder (RT): Unbelievable.
DM: Even though they've given you absolutely NO details whatsoever as to what this mysterious "friendship problem" seems to be?
Sandbar (AJ): But my dude! I'm with the two-faced rogue and the fight-happy barbarian! When have they EVER steered anypony wrong?!
Smolder (RT): (facepalm)
Gallus (RD): (double facepalm)]]>Thu, 15 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1032051Green Is Your Colorhttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1031604
DM: At any rate, Yona has basically escaped. Ocellus?
Ocellus (TS): Am I still with the two totally-not-evil changelings?
Changeling 1: Weeellllll great talk, Your Majesty. We'll get back to capturing ponies and draining their love.
Changeling 2: Just as you ordered, my Queen.
Ocellus (TS): Majesty? Queen? What??
DM: You feel… different. The nearest pod has a reflective surface. And in it, you don't see Ocellus. You see a twisted, sickly, hollow, yet terrifying changeling queen of old, a fey nightmare and conquerer. When you look down at your own hooves, you realize that you've actually changed. You're taller, darker, more powerful and dangerous. And you can't seem to use your natural abilities to change back.
Ocellus / Chrysalis (TS): Oh. … "More powerful"… you say…?]]>Tue, 13 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMThttp://friendshipisdragons.com/comics/pl/1031604